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Motorcycle · DVSA-based revision questions
Alertness
33 motorcycle theory test questions on alertness. Preview the questions below, or open one to read its answer and continue through the whole topic.
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You're about to turn right. What should you do just before you turn?
Give the correct signal
Take a lifesaver glance over your shoulder
Select the correct gear
Get in position ready for the turn
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Take a lifesaver glance over your shoulderThis was the right answer
When you're turning right, plan your approach to the junction. Signal and select the correct gear in good time. Just before you turn, take a lifesaver glance for a final check behind and to the side of you.
What's the ‘lifesaver’ when riding a motorcycle?
A certificate every motorcyclist must have
A final rearward glance before changing direction
A part of the motorcycle tool kit
A mirror fitted to check blind spots
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A final rearward glance before changing directionThis was the right answer
This action makes you aware of what’s happening behind and alongside you. The lifesaver glance should be timed so that you still have time to react if it isn’t safe to perform the manoeuvre.
What should you do when you see this road sign ahead?
Continue at the same speed
Slow down as you go around the bend
Slow down as you come out of the bend
Slow down before the bend
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Slow down before the bendThis was the right answer
Always look for any advance warning of hazards, such as road signs and hazard warning lines. Use this information to plan ahead and to help you avoid the need for late, harsh braking. Your motorcycle should be upright and moving in a straight line when you brake. This will help you keep maximum control when dealing with the hazard.
What should you do if you're riding at night and are dazzled by the headlights of an oncoming car?
Slow down or stop
Close your eyes
Flash your headlights
Turn your head away
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Slow down or stopThis was the right answer
If you're dazzled by the headlights of an approaching vehicle, slow down or stop until your eyes have adjusted. A dirty or scratched visor could make the dazzle worse and further impair your vision.
When riding some motorcycles, your shoulders and arms can obstruct your view in the mirrors. What can you do to overcome this difficulty?
Indicate earlier than normal
Fit smaller mirrors
Extend the mirror arms
Brake earlier than normal
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Extend the mirror armsThis was the right answer
It’s essential that you have a clear view all around. Adjust your mirrors to give you the best view of the road behind. If your body obscures the view, try fitting mirrors with longer stems.
You're riding a motorcycle on the road. What should you do before using your mobile phone?
Turn on the speaker phone function
Stop in a safe place
Slow down to 20 mph
Increase the separation distance to 4 seconds
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Stop in a safe placeThis was the right answer
It’s important that you’re in full control at all times. Even using a hands-free phone kit can distract your attention from the road. If you need to use a mobile phone, stop in a safe place before making the call.
You’re riding at night. You have your headlights on main beam. When should you dip your headlights if another vehicle overtakes you?
When the other vehicle signals to overtake
As soon as the other vehicle moves out to overtake
As soon as the other vehicle passes you
After the other vehicle pulls in front of you
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As soon as the other vehicle passes youThis was the right answer
At night, you should dip your headlights to avoid dazzling oncoming drivers or those ahead of you. If you’re being overtaken, dip your headlights as the other vehicle comes past. When you switch to dipped beam, your view of the road ahead will be reduced, so look ahead for hazards on your side of the road before you do so.
What should you do to move off safely from a parked position?
Signal if other drivers will need to slow down
Leave your motorcycle on its stand until it's safe to move off
Give an arm signal as well as using your indicators
Look over your shoulder just before you move off
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Look over your shoulder just before you move offThis was the right answer
Just before you move off from the side of the road, you should take a look over your shoulder to check your blind spot. This will help you to see any road user who isn't visible in your mirrors.
What will happen if you become very cold while you're riding your motorcycle?
You'll be more alert
You'll be more relaxed
You'll react more quickly
You'll lose concentration
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You'll lose concentrationThis was the right answer
It can be difficult to keep warm when riding a motorcycle. It's well worth buying good-quality motorcycle clothing, which will help to keep you warm and is essential for your safety. If you become very cold while riding, you'll find it difficult to concentrate on the road.
What should you do if you’re riding at night and are dazzled by the headlights of an approaching vehicle?
Switch off your headlights
Switch to main beam
Slow down and stop if necessary
Flash your headlights
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Slow down and stop if necessaryThis was the right answer
If your view of the road ahead is restricted because you’re being dazzled by approaching headlights, slow down and, if you need to, find a safe place to stop until your vision is restored.
When should you check your blind spots?
Before moving off
Before slowing down
Before changing gear
Before giving a signal
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Before moving offThis was the right answer
Your blind spots are the areas behind and to either side of you that aren't covered by your mirrors. You should always check the relevant side when there's a risk of a hazard that isn't visible in your mirrors.
Why can it be helpful to have mirrors on each side of your motorcycle?
To judge the gap when filtering in traffic
To give protection when riding in poor weather
To make your motorcycle appear larger to other drivers
To give you the best view of the road behind
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To give you the best view of the road behindThis was the right answer
When riding on the road, you need to know as much about following traffic as you can. A mirror fitted on each side of your motorcycle will help give you the best view of the road behind.
What does the term ‘lifesaver’ mean?
A rearward glance just before manoeuvring
An approved safety helmet
A reflective jacket
The two-second rule
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A rearward glance just before manoeuvringThis was the right answer
There are areas behind and to either side of you that aren't visible in your mirrors. These are known as blind spots. Just before turning or changing direction, you should look around to check that there's nothing hazardous in the blind spot. This check is known as a 'lifesaver'.
You're about to emerge from a junction. Your pillion passenger tells you it's clear. When should you rely on their judgement?
Never; you should always look for yourself
When the roads are very busy
When the roads are very quiet
Only when they're a qualified rider
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Never; you should always look for yourselfThis was the right answer
Your passenger may be inexperienced in judging traffic situations, may have a poor view or may not have seen a potential hazard. You're responsible for your own safety and that of your passenger. Always make your own checks to be sure it's safe to pull out.
You're riding your motorcycle on an urban road. What must you do before stopping on the left?
Put both feet down
Select first gear
Use your mirrors
Move into neutral
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Use your mirrorsThis was the right answer
Check your mirrors before slowing down or stopping, as there could be vehicles close behind you. You should react to what you see, for example it may affect the timing of your signal or how quickly you stop.
Why should you check over your shoulder before you change lanes in busy, slow-moving traffic?
To avoid having to give a signal
Mirrors don't cover blind spots
So traffic ahead will make room for you
So your balance won’t be affected
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Mirrors don't cover blind spotsThis was the right answer
Before changing lanes, make sure there’s a safe gap to move into. Looking over your shoulder allows you to check the area not covered by your mirrors, where a vehicle could be hidden from view. It also warns following drivers that you want to change lanes.
You've been waiting for some time to make a right turn into a side road. What should you do just before you start turning?
Move close to the kerb
Select a higher gear
Make a lifesaver check
Flash your headlights
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Make a lifesaver checkThis was the right answer
Remember your lifesaver glance before you start to turn. If you’ve been waiting for some time and a queue has built up behind you, a vehicle further back may try to overtake. In this situation, it's especially important to look out for other motorcycles, which may be approaching at speed.
You're riding a motorcycle that's towing a trailer. What should you do before turning right onto a dual carriageway?
Stop, and then select a very low gear
Position in the left gutter of the side road
Assess the width of the central reservation
Check that there's enough room for vehicles behind you
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Assess the width of the central reservationThis was the right answer
Before emerging right onto a dual carriageway, make sure that the central reservation is wide enough to protect both your motorcycle and its trailer. If it isn't, you should treat it as one road and check that it’s clear in both directions before pulling out.
What should you do before riding a motorcycle you've never ridden before?
Ask someone to ride with you for the first time
Push the bike around to get used to the brakes
Wear thinner gloves so the switches can be operated more easily
Make sure you know where all the controls and switches are
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Make sure you know where all the controls and switches areThis was the right answer
While control layouts are generally similar, different makes and models have subtle differences in the position and operation of the switches. Before you ride any motorcycle, make sure you’re familiar with the layout of all the controls and switches.
You're turning right at a large roundabout. What should you do before you cross a lane to reach your exit?
Take a lifesaver glance over your right shoulder
Put on your right indicator
Take a lifesaver glance over your left shoulder
Cancel the left indicator
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Take a lifesaver glance over your left shoulderThis was the right answer
On busy roundabouts, traffic may be moving very quickly and changing lanes suddenly. You need to be aware of what's happening all around you. Before crossing lanes to the left, make sure you take a lifesaver glance to the left. This gives you time to react if it isn't safe to make the manoeuvre.
More motorcycle topics
13 moreEvery question in this bank sits in one of these, and each one is a page like this.
Attitude28 questionsEssential documents32 questionsHazard awareness51 questionsIncidents, accidents and emergencies38 questionsMotorcycle handling51 questionsMotorcycle loading32 questionsMotorway rules51 questionsOther types of vehicle17 questionsRoad and traffic signs134 questionsRules of the road52 questionsSafety and your motorcycle79 questionsSafety margins38 questionsVulnerable road users67 questionsAll motorcycle questionsThe whole bank, in 14 topics